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NEWS

1,000 acres and growing

Over the years, the Richmond Land Trust has preserved more than 200 acres through either the generous donations of residents or through their willingness to sell to the Trust at less than market value (bargain sales). These owners usually wish their property to remain undeveloped but no longer want the responsibility of maintaining it. The undeveloped nature of these acquisitions provides habitat for native plants and wildlife, helps maintain water quality, preserves openings to views, and protects the rural character of Richmond. All lands owned by Richmond Land Trust are open to the public for walking and exploring nature.

​Since the birth of the Richmond Land Trust, we have worked closely with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council on land transactions that have resulted in another 888 acres being preserved through conservation restrictions. Several of these properties provide wonderful hiking opportunities and expansive scenic vistas in addition to the conservation values noted above. Included in this group are Stevens Glen and Hollow Fields, each of which offers very different experiences. In these two cases, Berkshire Natural Resources Council owns the land and has developed trails, while the Richmond Land Trust holds the conservation restrictions that ensure these parcels will remain undeveloped in perpetuity.

By coupling Berkshire Natural Resources Council's professional expertise with the Richmond Land Trust's knowledge of our community and its residents, we will continue to bring creative solutions to residents' preservation wishes, thus benefiting the public and protecting the scenic beauty and bucolic character of Richmond.

The Charles and Mary Kusik Citizenship Awards

Given to an individual in recognition for their outstanding civic commitment on behalf of the Town of Richmond and its residents.

This award was established in 1992 and named after the Kusiks for their many contributions to the town of Richmond that have had an enduring impact on the quality of life in Richmond. Charles helped form the Civic Association and served as chairman of the Planning Board, in which capacity he authored the town's first zoning bylaw. Mary worked with the Community Health Association and helped launch the town calendar that we all rely upon.

The award is cosponsored by the Richmond Land Trust, the Richmond Civic Association, and the Richmond Historical Society. 

1992   Laurence E. Fairfield
1993   William N Ratcliff
1994   Ruth H. Bass
1995   The Men and Women of the
Richmond Volunteer Fire Department
1996   T. A. Edwards
1997   Helen L. Kingsley
1998   Miriam A. Kimball
1999   Philip Foster

​2000   Holly Stover
2001   (not awarded)
2002   K. J. Morray
2003   Gladys B. Traver
2004   B. Carter White

2005  Thomas W. Armstrong
2006  Ann M. Larkin
2007  Francis and Elizabeth Bartlett
2008  William C. Sexton
2009  John Mason​
2010   Fran and Pat Malnati
2011    Doug Chapman
2012   Jan Hartford
2013   Edward Forget
2014   Gloria Morse
2015   Helen Benedict Nicholas

2016   Marguerite (Jackie) Rawson

2017   Alan B. Hanson

2018   Virginia Colton Larkin

2019   John Hanson

2021  Bob and Betty Gniadek

2022 Bill Edwards

2023 Lauren Broussal

2024 Pat Callahan

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